Line feed configuration for line trimmers

ABSTRACT

A line trimmer head is provided including a rotatable drive shaft and a housing mounted to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The housing has an open end and at least one peripheral aperture formed through the housing. A spool subassembly is positioned at least partially within the housing adjacent the open end of the housing. The subassembly includes a spool having at least one flange extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof, a cog ring secured to the spool, and a ratchet and pawl assembly formed between the cog ring and spool. The ratchet and pawl assembly allows rotation of the spool in a first direction with respect to the cog ring for winding line around the spool while preventing spool rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction to facilitate line feed bumping and line trimming operations. In an alternative embodiment, the pawl is integrally molded with the spool to eliminate the separate spring-pawl assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/664,157,filed Jun. 14, 1996 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/601,788, filed Feb. 15, 1996, and assigned tothe assignee of the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vegetation cutting line trimmers, andmore particularly to a line-feed configuration for line trimmers.

BACKGROUND ART

Typically, reloading fresh line into a line trimmer head is a difficultand time consuming process. Reloading line onto the spool requiresremoval of the spool, and other components, which can be awkward.

First, the bump knob must be removed. This can be difficult when thebump knob has become tight as a result of normal use. Once the bump knobis removed, the spool and spring are removed from the housing. In orderto load the line, the line must be secured to the hub and carefullywrapped around the spool. If the line is not tightly held whilewrapping, it can release and quickly unwind from the spool. When theline is fully wrapped around the spool, the spring must be held closelyadjacent the spool for insertion onto the drive shaft. As the spool andspring are inserted into the housing, the cutting ends of the line mustbe fed through a pair of eyelets in the housing as the line is carefullyheld in its wrapped position about the spool. Once the line is throughthe eyelets and the spool is inside the housing, the bump knob isreplaced to secure the spool in position.

It is desirable to provide a line trimmer with a line feed configurationwhich does not require the installer to handle a variety of componentswhile reloading the spool with new line.

This line assembly process may be difficult and time consuming becausethe installer is required to simultaneously hold the line, spool, springand housing while feeding the line through the eyelets and carefullyholding the line in its wrapped position about the spool to prevent theline from "coughing up" and releasing from the spool.

Another problem experienced in prior art designs is rubbing together ofopposing lines which causes the lines to weld together while housed onthe spool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention avoids the above referenced problems experiencedin prior art assemblies by providing a line trimmer head which does notrequire removal of the spool from the housing for reloading new lineonto the spool. The line is received into the housing through an eyeleton the housing and is secured in a hole formed on a flange of the spool.Accordingly, the line may be wound around the spool while the spoolremains inside the housing.

In an alternative embodiment, the line is received into the housingthrough an eyelet on the housing and secured in a pair of holes formedon a flange of the spool.

Welding of opposing lines together is avoided by providing a spool withseparate line storage compartments.

In another embodiment, the line is easily wound about the spool whilethe spool remains in the housing by providing a spool subassembly, whichincludes a spool, a cog ring connected to the spool, and a ratchet andpawl assembly formed between the spool and cog ring to allow relativerotation of the spool and cog ring in one direction for winding, whilepreventing opposite rotation to facilitate line-feed bumping and linetrimming operations.

In a further embodiment, the spool assembly includes a pawl integrallymolded with one of the spool and cog ring, and a ratchet memberintegrally molded with the other of the spool and cog ring, therebyeliminating the spring/pawl assembly as separate components.

An object of the present invention is to provide a line trimmer headwhich may be reloaded with flexible line without removing the spool fromthe head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a line trimmerhead with separate compartments for storage of individual flexiblelines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a line trimmerhead which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable and easy to reloadwith flexible line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a speed-spool,line winding spool subassembly which allows spool rotation in onedirection for winding while the spool is in the housing while preventingspool rotation in an opposing direction to facilitate line-feed bumpingand line trimming operations.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a speed-spoolassembly which eliminates the spring and pawl as separate components.

The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a line trimmer head in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a line trimmer head inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a line trimmer head inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a line trimmer head spool inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a line trimmer head spool inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a line trimmer head spool in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of a line trimmerhead in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of the line trimmerhead shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a line trimmer head in accordancewith a second alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a line trimmer head inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of a line trimmer head inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a cog ring and pawl assembly in accordancewith the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of a spool in accordance with the embodimentshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 shows a plan view of a spool housing in accordance with theembodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a spool housing and drive rod inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of a pawl assembly cooperating inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of a line trimmer head in accordance witha third alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 17 taken at line 18--18;

FIG. 19 shows a plan view of a cog ring in accordance with theembodiment shown in FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 shows a plan view of a spool in accordance with the embodimentshown in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a line trimmer head 10 is shown in accordance withthe present invention. The line trimmer head 10 is connected to asupport shaft 12 and includes a housing 14. Flexible lines 16,18 extendfrom a pair of peripheral openings 20 formed in the housing 14 and arestored within the housing 14. The flexible lines 16,18 extend from theline trimmer head 10 for cutting vegetation. The line trimmer head 10rotates about the central axis 22 to rotate the flexible lines forcutting.

The line trimmer head 10 includes a spool 24, having a flange 26. A bumpknob 28 extends below the spool 24 for engagement with a ground surfaceto selectively payout additional flexible line 16,18.

Referring to FIG. 2, a vertical cross-section of the line trimmer head10 is shown. A drive shaft 30 engages the housing 14 to cause rotationof the housing 14. The spool 24 is adapted to receive flexible line forstorage thereabout. The flexible lines extend out of the housing throughthe pair of eyelets 32,34 in the peripheral openings 20. The spool 24includes a lower flange 26 which is positioned adjacent the open end 36of the housing 14. The spool 24 also includes an intermediate flange 38which separates the spool 24 into two line storage compartments 40,42.In this configuration, the two flexible lines 16,18 are stored in theseparate storage compartments 40,42 respectively. This configurationprevents welding of the lines 16,18 together as the spool 24 and housing14 are rotated. The spool 24 also includes an upper flange 44 extendingfrom the flange hub 46. The upper flange 44 in cooperation with theintermediate flange 38 and the hub 46 form the line storage compartment40.

The bump knob 28 cooperates with the drive shaft 30. The bump knob 28 ismovable in an aperture 48 formed in the spool 24. A spring 50 biases thebump knob 28 toward an extended position away from the spool 24. Thebump knob 28 engages a sleeve 52 which is arranged concentrically aboutthe drive shaft 30.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve 52 engages the actuatormember 54. The actuator member 54 includes a ramped surface 56, whichengages a corresponding ramped surface 58 on the locking member 60 inorder to move the locking member 60 laterally within the housing 14.When a user desires payout of additional flexible line 16,18, the bumpknob 28 is bumped onto a ground surface, which moves the bump knob 28axially along the drive shaft 30. The spring 50 is compressed and thesleeve 52 forces the actuator member 54 axially along the drive shaft30. The ramped surface 56 of the actuator member 54 engages the rampedsurface 58 of the locking member 60. The ramped surface 56 travels alongthe ramped surface 58, thereby causing the locking member 60 to movelaterally within the housing 14. The locking member 60 includes a tooth62, which is engageable with the cogs 64 (FIG. 4) on the spool 24. Whenthe bump knob 28 is in the extended position, the tooth 62 of thelocking member 60 is engaged with one of the plurality of cogs 64 on thespool 24 to lock the spool 24 for rotation with the housing 14. In thisposition, the spool 24 rotates with the housing 14, and the line trimmerhead 10 may be used to cut vegetation.

When additional payout of the line is required, the bump head 28 isdepressed, which moves the ramped surfaces 56,58 respectively, causingthe locking member 60 to move laterally to disengage the tooth 62 fromthe cogs 64. Incremental payout of flexible line 16,18 is then alloweduntil the opposing ramp 66 on the locking member 60 engages one of thecogs 64, thus returning the locking member 60 to a position wherein thetooth 62 is engaged with one of the cogs 64. Accordingly, only limitedpayout of flexible line is permitted because the opposing ramp 66 willengage one of the cogs after a predetermined incremental rotation of thespool 24, thereby causing the locking member 60 to return.

The legs 68,70 of the locking member 60 slidably travel along slots (notshown) in the housing 14 to facilitate lateral movement of the lockingmember 60 within the housing 14. The springs 80,82 bias the lockingmember 60 toward a position of engagement between the tooth 62 and oneof the cogs 64. The nuts 72,74 cooperate with the drive shaft 30 to holdthe assembly together. The nut 72 cooperates with an aperture 76 (FIG.2) in the housing 14, and the nut 74 cooperates with an aperture 78 inthe bump knob 28.

The spool 24 is more clearly shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. When the userwishes to insert new flexible line into the line trimmer head 10, theperipheral openings 20 (FIG. 3) are lined up with the respective guidechannel 84,86 on the spool 24. The line is inserted through a peripheralopening 20 into the respective guide channel 84, which is formed on theintermediate flange 38. The guide channel 84 includes a first funnel 88formed in the intermediate flange 38, and a curved portion 90 formedinside the hub 46 in communication with the first funnel 88 for guidingthe flexible line to a position beyond the lower flange 26. The lowerflange 26 includes a pair of holes 92,94 formed therethrough forreceiving the flexible line. Accordingly, once the flexible line ispassed through the guide channel to a position beyond the lower flange26, the user inserts the end of the flexible line into the respectivehole 92,94 in the flange 26 to secure the line with respect to the spool24. Once the end of the line has been secured in one of the holes 92,94the user places a finger in the finger depression 95 formed in the lowerflange 26 and winds the spool 24 with respect to the housing 14 in orderto draw line into the housing and wrap it around the spool. If twoflexible lines are used, they will automatically be stored in theseparate chambers 40,42 as a result of the sloped surfaces 96 formed onthe intermediate flange 38 to guide the flexible line into theappropriate line storage compartment 40,42 upon initial winding of thespool.

Accordingly, to reload line onto the spool 24, the line is fed firstinto the housing through the peripheral opening 20 and into the guidechannel 84 via the funnel 88. The funnel 88 guides the flexible linetoward the curved portion 90 of the guide channel, which redirects theline toward the lower flange 26. The slot 98 in the hub 46 allows theline to travel from the curved portion 90 to a position beyond the lowerflange 26, at which point the end of the flexible line may be insertedinto the hole 92 to secure the line with respect to the spool. Then theuser places a finger in the finger depression 95 and rotates the spool24 with respect to the housing 14 in order to draw flexible line intothe line storage compartments 40,42 about the hub 46. The line is thenready for cutting and the user must bump the bump knob 28 for payout ofadditional line when desired.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment is shown. Again inthis embodiment, flexible line 116 may be fed into the line trimmer head110 without removal of the spool 124. In order to reload line into thehead 110, line 116 is fed through the eyelet 134 in the peripheralopening 120 of the housing 114. The line 116 is then fed up through thelarge opening 138 in the flange 126. The large opening 138 is incommunication with both the small opening 136 of the flange and theperipheral opening 120 of the housing. Finally, the line 116 is insertedthrough the small opening 136 in the flange 126. The other end of theline 116 is then tugged to secure the line within the small and largeopening 134,136. The user then grips the serrated portions of the flange126 in order to rotate the spool 124 to wind the line 116 about thespool 124. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, this embodiment includes only a singlespool, and does not include the guide channels disclosed with respect tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

Turning to FIGS. 9-16, a second alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In this embodiment, the line trimmer head 210 isconnected to the support shaft 212 and includes a housing 214. Flexiblelines 216,218 extend from a pair of peripheral apertures 220 formed inthe housing 214 and are stored within the housing 214. The flexiblelines 216,218 extend from the line trimmer head 210 for cuttingvegetation. The line trimmer head 210 rotates about the central axis 221to rotate the flexible lines for cutting.

The line trimmer head 210 includes a spool 224, having a flange 226extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof. A bump knob 228extends below the spool 224 for engagement with a ground surface toselectively payout additional flexible line 216,218.

Referring to FIG. 10, a vertical cross-section of the line trimmer head210 is shown. The drive shaft 230 engages the housing 214 to causerotation of the housing 214. The spool 224 is adapted to receiveflexible line for storage thereabout. The flexible lines extend out ofthe housing through the pair of eyelets 232,234 in the peripheralopenings 220. The spool 224 includes a lower flange 226 which ispositioned adjacent the open end 236 of the housing 214. The spool 224also includes an upper flange 244 extending from the flange hub 246. Theupper flange 244, in cooperation with the hub 246 and lower flange 226,forms the line storage compartment 240.

A spool sub-assembly 248, as shown in FIG. 11, is positioned at leastpartially within the housing 214 adjacent the open end 236 of thehousing. The spool sub-assembly 248 comprises the spool 224, the cogring 250 and the ratchet and pawl assembly 252. The ratchet and pawlassembly 252 allows rotation of the spool 224 in a first direction withrespect to the cog ring 250 for winding line around the spool, whilepreventing spool rotation in a second direction opposite the firstdirection for line feed bumping and line trimming operations. The spoolsubassembly 248 is secured together by the bolt 254 and washer 256, andthe subassembly 248 is spring-loaded with respect to the housing 214 bythe spring 258 for line feed bumping operations, to be described below.

The ratchet and pawl assembly 252 is more clearly understood withreference to FIGS. 12, 13 and 16. A pair of pawls 260,262 are pivotallysecured to the cog ring 250 by the pivot pins 264,266. The spring 268pivotally biases the pawls 260,262 away from the cog ring hub 270.Accordingly, the engagement portions 272,274 of the pawls 260,262 areoutwardly spring-loaded to facilitate cooperation with the ratchetmember 276 formed in the spool flange 244. The ratchet member 276comprises a plurality of ramps 278 and pockets 280 which are engageablewith the engagement portions 272,274 of the pawls 260,262. For windingline around the spool, the operator simply grips the serrated portion282 of the spool 224 and rotates the spool in a first direction 284. Asthe spool is rotated in the first direction 284, line is wound about thespool within the line storage compartment 240. The stops 286 on thehousing 214 engage the cog ring teeth 288 to prevent rotation of the cogring 250 with respect to the housing to allow winding of the line. Asthe spool 224 is rotated in the first direction 284, the pawls 260,262ride along the ramps 278 formed by the ratchet member 276 in the spool224 in order to allow such rotation. In this manner, a "speed-spool" isprovided whereby an operator may quickly wind line around the spool 224while the spool is disposed within the housing 214.

Rotation of the spool 224 in a second direction 290 with respect to thecog ring 250 is prevented by the pockets 280. When the spool 224 beginsto rotate in the second direction 290 with respect to the cog ring 250,the pawls 260,262 ride into the pockets 280 in the ratchet member 276,which prevents further rotation of the spool 224 in the second direction290 with respect to the cog ring 250. This relative rotation preventionfacilitates line feed bumping and line trimming operations.

The spool flange 226 includes a set of first holes 290,292 and a set ofsecond holes 294,296 formed through the flange in communication witheach other and in communication with the peripheral apertures in thehousing to facilitate line feeding. In order to feed new line into thespool 224, the operator simply inserts flexible line 216,218 through theperipheral apertures 220 in the housing 214, as shown in FIG. 11, andfurther inserts the flexible line through the set of first holes 290,292formed in the spool flange 226, and finally returns the flexible lines216,218 into the second holes 294,296 formed in the flange 226 adjacentthe respective first holes 290,292. The operator then tugs each line216,218 to secure the line with respect to the spool, then grips theserrated portion 282 of the spool 224 and rotates the spool 224 in thefirst direction 284 with respect to the cog ring 250, as describedabove, such that the pawls 260,262 cooperate with the ramps 278 to allowsuch rotation and winding of the flexible line about the spool.

The self-contained spool subassembly 248 provides the advantage of beinga separate subassembly manufacturing operation which provides a spoolusable with existing line trimmer head housings.

Line feed bumping operation is clearly understood with reference toFIGS. 11, 14 and 15. The housing 214 includes a base 298, cylindricalsidewall portion 300, a first row of stops 302 positioned inside thehousing where the base and sidewall portion meet, and a second row ofstops 286 positioned inside the housing 214 along the side wall portion300 spaced from the base 298 in a manner to allow bump-actuated indexingof the cog teeth 288 between the first and second rows 302,286 of stopsfor dispensing incremental amounts of line from the spool.

When payout of additional flexible line from the line storagecompartment 240 is desired, the operator simply bumps the bump head 228on the ground as the line trimmer head is rotating. When the bump head228 is bumped on the ground, the bump head 228 forces the spoolsubassembly 248 toward the base 298 of the housing 214. As thesubassembly 248 moves toward the housing base 298, the cog teeth 288disengage from the first row of stops 286, and the spool rotates topayout line until the cog teeth 288 engage the stops 302 to preventfurther rotation. The spring 258 then forces the spool subassembly 248away from the housing base 298 to clear the cog teeth 288 away from thestops 302, and the cog ring 250 and spool subassembly 248 continue torotate further until the cog teeth 288 are in alignment with and engagethe stops 286 in the second row. The spool subassembly 248 then comes torest in this position with respect to the housing 214 for line trimmingoperations.

Referring to FIGS. 17-20, a third alternative embodiment is illustrated.In this embodiment, the spool 320 (shown in FIG. 20) comprises amolded-in pawl 322, which includes spring arms 324, 326, 328 supportedat the respective base 330, 332, 334. The spring arms 324, 326, 328include knobs 336, 338, 340, respectively, for engagement in the pockets342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352 which are integrally molded within the cogring 356 (shown in FIG. 19). The spring arms 324, 326, 328 are moldedsuch that they are supported only by the respective base 330, 332, 334and are free to spring outward from the center of the spool 320 aboutthe respective base 330, 332, 334. The respective base 330, 332, 334 ofeach spring arm 324, 326, 328 is supported by a support ring 360 whichis also integrally molded on the spool 320.

In this configuration, the spool 320 may be rotated in the directionindicated by arrows 362 in FIG. 17 for line-winding operations, but isprevented from rotating in the opposite direction by the knobs 336, 338,340 engaging the pockets 348, 344, 352. As the spool 320 is rotated inthe direction indicated by arrows 362, the arms 324, 326, 328 spring inas they travel up the ramps 364, 366, 368, 370, 372, 374, and returnoutward as they reach the pockets 342, 344, 346, 348, 350, 352 toprevent opposite rotation.

Accordingly, with this configuration, the separate pawl and springassembly illustrated in FIG. 16 is eliminated. Of course, the molded-inspring arms 324, 326, 328 could comprise various configurations, so longas they are configured to have an outward spring bias.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been describedin detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relateswill recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention. Thus the above described preferred embodimentsare intended to be illustrative of the invention which may be modifiedwithin the scope of the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A line trimmer head, comprising:a rotatable driveshaft; a housing mounted to said drive shaft for rotation therewith, andhaving an open end and at least one peripheral aperture formed throughthe housing; a spool assembly including a spool having at least oneflange extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof, saidspool being positioned at least partially within said housing adjacentsaid open end of said housing; wherein said spool assembly includes acog ring secured thereto, and said spool being rotatable in a firstrotational direction with respect to the cog ring for winding line aboutthe spool and fixed from rotation in a second rotational directionopposite said first rotational direction to facilitate rotation of thespool and cog ring with the housing for line trimming operations; andwherein said spool assembly further comprises a pawl integrally moldedwith one of said spool and cog ring and a ratchet member integrallymolded with the other of the spool and cog ring for facilitatingrotation of the spool in the first rotational direction and preventingrotation of the spool in the second rotational direction with respect tothe cog ring.
 2. The line trimmer head of claim 1, wherein said ratchetmember comprises a plurality of ramps and pockets for cooperation withsaid pawl for allowing said rotation in the first direction with respectto the cog ring and preventing rotation in the second direction.
 3. Theline trimmer head of claim 2, wherein said cog ring includes cog teeth,and said housing further comprises:a base; a cylindrical side wallportion; a first row of stops positioned inside the housing where saidbase and side wall portions meet; and a second row of stops positionedinside said housing along said side wall portion and spaced from saidbase in a manner to allow bump-actuated indexing of said cog teethbetween said first and second rows of stops for dispensing incrementalamounts of line from the spool.
 4. The line trimmer head of claim 1,wherein said flange comprises at least one pair of holes formedtherethrough in communication with each other and with said peripheralaperture, whereby to sequentially receive a flexible line insertableinto said housing through said peripheral aperture and first through oneof said pair of holes and then through the other of said pair of holesto secure said line with respect to said spool.
 5. A line trimmer head,comprising:a rotatable drive shaft; a housing mounted to said driveshaft for rotation therewith, and having an open end and at least oneperipheral aperture formed through the housing; and a spool subassemblypositioned at least partially within said housing adjacent said open endof said housing, the subassembly comprising:a spool having at least oneflange extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof and apawl integrally molded with the spool; and a cog ring secured to thespool and having a ratchet mechanism formed therein for cooperation withsaid pawl for allowing rotation of the spool in a first direction withrespect to the cog ring for winding line around the spool whilepreventing spool rotation in a second direction opposite the firstdirection to facilitate line trimming operations.
 6. The line trimmerhead of claim 5, wherein said ratchet member comprises a plurality oframps and pockets for cooperation with said pawl for allowing saidrotation of the spool with respect to the cog ring in the firstdirection while preventing rotation in said second direction.
 7. Theline trimmer head of claim 6 wherein said cog ring includes cog teeth,and said housing further comprises:a base; a cylindrical side wallportion; a first row of stops positioned inside the housing where saidbase and side wall portions meet; and a second row of stops positionedinside said housing along said side wall portion and spaced from saidbase in a manner to allow bump-actuated indexing of said cog teethbetween said first and second rows of stops for dispensing incrementalamounts of line from the spool.
 8. The line trimmer head of claim 5wherein said flange comprises at least one pair of holes formedtherethrough in communication with each other and with said peripheralaperture, whereby to sequentially receive a flexible line insertableinto said housing through said peripheral aperture and first through oneof said pair of holes and then through the other of said pair of holesto secure said line with respect to said spool.
 9. A line trimmer head,comprising:a rotatable drive shaft; a housing mounted to said driveshaft for rotation therewith, and having an open end and at least oneperipheral aperture formed through the housing, said housing furtherincluding a base, and a cylindrical side wall portion; a spoolsubassembly positioned at least partially within said housing adjacentsaid open end of said housing, the subassembly comprising:a spool havingat least one flange extending radially outwardly from the peripherythereof and a pawl integrally molded with the spool; and a cog ringsecured to the spool and having a ratchet member integrally moldedtherein for cooperation with said pawl, said ratchet member comprising aplurality of ramps and pockets for cooperation with said pawl forallowing rotation of the spool in a first direction with respect to thecog ring to facilitate line winding while preventing rotation in asecond direction opposite the first direction to facilitate line-feedbumping and line trimming operations.